Armenia Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met with Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev in Dushanbe today where the two are attending a session of the CIS Council of Heads of State.

What follows is an unedited Armenian government press release on the meeting.

Pleased with the continuity of bilateral interstate relations, Nikol Pashinyan highlighted the importance of economic cooperation. He noted that several Kazakh companies have already expressed interest in getting involved in the Armenian market with investment programs.

Nikol Pashinyan expressed the conviction that the deepening of business ties will help boost trade turnover between the two countries. The Premier attached importance to the development of cooperation within the framework of integration associations, including the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Nikol Pashinyan considered it necessary to enhance the functionality of integration associations through constructive discussions on specific issues that will help find appropriate solutions.

Noting that the bilateral trade turnover grew by nearly 60% last year, Nursultan Nazarbayev expressed conviction that this trend would be continued owing to the two governments’ joint efforts. He said that Kazakhstan is open for Armenian businesses and goods, adding that the sides enjoy good opportunities for developing multifaceted ties.

Stressing that Armenian specialists have always shown themselves in the best way, the President of Kazakhstan made a point of experience sharing in different spheres of activity.

Referring to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations, the Kazakh leader described them as quite complicated, and assured that his country stands for a peaceful settlement through negotiations.

Nikol Pashinyan and Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed a broad range of issues on the Armenian-Kazakh cooperation agenda, including cooperation in the frame of integration unions.